Police are investigating, and an Edmonton family is demanding answers, after a man in his 30s fell unconscious and stopped breathing while in police custody.
On Wednesday, November 12, in the afternoon, police were called to a clinic in the area of 122 Avenue and 97 Street in Edmonton after a man who was at the clinic for an appointment reportedly started to yell and scream at staff.
Police said the individual, identified as Trevor Proudman, 32, was arrested without incident and placed in the back of an Edmonton Police Service van.
“There was no confrontation with police, no decisions had to be made as to use of force,” EPS Insp. Regan James said.
Insp. James said officers went to interview staff about the incident, leaving Proudman alone for about a quarter of an hour.
“In the time that we took, approximately 15 minutes, to interview the staff at that medical clinic, we returned to our vehicle and found the gentleman in medical distress,” James said.
Paramedics were called, and officers performed CPR until they arrived – he was rushed to hospital, where he died Thursday morning.
“It’s certainly a very very devastating scenario, one minute you’re taking your child to a doctor’s appointment, and the next moment he’s deceased, so certainly as a service we feel for the family,” James said.
According to friends of Proudman’s family, the man suffered from a syndrome that caused him to become agitated easily, and he needed round-the-clock care – they’re demanding answers as to why he was left alone at all.
EPS said the incident was being reviewed, including determining whether officers were aware of Proudman’s condition, and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will look at the findings. Results are expected within the month.
With files from Dan Grummett
